Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 29th, 2025–Mar 30th, 2025

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos, North Rockies, McBride, Quesnel, Sugarbowl, East Kakwa, Kakwa, McGregor, Pine Pass, Renshaw, Robson, Tumbler.

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers at upper elevations.

Watch for reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday.

On Thursday, several naturally triggered wind slabs up to size 2.5 were reported on west/southwest aspects in the alpine, near McBride.

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow sits over a crust in most areas, except shady aspects in the high alpine where soft or wind affected dry snow may be found.

A persistent weak layer from early March, 40 to 80 cm deep, most likely exists as surface hoar on sheltered north and east aspects at treeline and above. Its distribution is variable, and there have been no substantial reports of recent avalanches, but it should still be considered when evaluating slopes.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Sunday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1900 m.

Monday

Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.